LIMERICKS – GOD AND HIS PEOPLE

Time with Jesus - Wednesday, 08 May 2013

Hi all,

For me, singing has always been lots of fun. It must have something to do with the lyrics. It’s easy to remember words if they are strung together in a song. The hymn writers were aware of this. So men like Isaac Watt and Charles Wesley, composed their hymns, so that the people could learn Christian doctrine through this medium. In the 18^th century, the ability to read and write was not as extensive as it is in English speaking countries today.

Illiteracy is what gave rise to stained glass windows in old Cathedrals and church buildings. People could remember Scripture stories by looking at those windows. Christians today tend to mock art of this type. But it played an important role in helping people remember the Scriptures. Another way was to write hymns. In this way, the doctrine of “the people called Methodist” was instilled into them.

More recently, people like Dave and Dale Garrett put Scripture into songs. These were sung as choruses internationally. Most people weren’t aware that they were singing Scripture. That aspect wasn’t always important. What really helped was that passages of Scripture were learned “through” the tune. A wonderful example is Psalm 23. “The Lord’s my Shepherd” is probably one of the best known hymns. The words were taken from Psalm 23, put into rhyme and metre. This wonderful hymn is sung all over the world.

Another example comes from Psalm 1. “Blessed is the man …..” Often, to quote it verbally, we sing the song in our heads. Then we come to the portion we were trying to quote. There it is. The words remembered via the tune. 

Locust Swarm

Another comes from Isaiah 61. ¹ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Isa 61:1 KJV These aren’t the easiest words to memorise. But when we sing, “The Spirit of the Lord is …….” suddenly the lyrics flow and the significance of Jesus’ words in the Nazareth synagogue, become meaningful.

The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

Sadly, this type of worship has all but disappeared from most Charismatic Churches. Much of what is written today has no rhyme or metre and the tune is difficult to sing. Most of them are utterly forgettable. Oh for the days when we could close our eyes in worship and become “lost” in the expression of joy and reverence within. We didn’t really need bands or even an organist. The words were both familiar and meaningful and everyone could worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. In our years in Worcester, there was no choir, band or organist. But we could sing from the hymnbook to tunes we all knew. We could do much the same with the choruses. That’s what we did. We soon found that the “coloured congregation” down the road did the same thing. Our black brothers and sisters had no need for musical instruments. One man would “thump” his leather bound Bible and the congregation would sing. Sing is perhaps an understatement. The sound was “divine”. Phyllida and I would be close to tears as those simple people sang their devotion to God in a way that most Europeans seldom understand.

A Choir of "Black" Men & Women
Worshiping the Lord!

Our meditation today takes a deeper look at this. With a little effort the “limericks” can be put to a tune and sung to the Master. You don’t need to be a good singer. You can sing them in the quietness of your prayer closet, with the choir of your church, or in the company of angels who worship the Lord.

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – 08 May 2013				Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES		LIMERICKS – GOD AND HIS PEOPLE
What to do when confronted with a number of Scriptures each one deserving a reasonable exegesis? That’s what happened this morning. All ten deserve more than a line or two of “unpacking”. So I sort of “copped out” and resorted to using partial limericks.  There are 10 Scriptures so there are 10 limericks. I have posted watchmen on your walls Isaiah 62:6 is one. Have you ever seen a swarm of locusts? I vaguely remember travelling from PE to Vereeniging by car back in 1954. In those days the road was not tarred all the way and in the dry weather a “dust storm” was thrown up by the tyres. Not pleasant to get stuck behind other vehicles. Dad would keep about a mile behind the car in front, so that much of the dust had settled before we got there. I think every body did something like that. The road we were on at the time was from Jamestown to Aliwal North. Not terribly interesting farming country for a twelve year old to look at. We were travelling about a mile or so behind the car in front, “chewing the dust” when suddenly the colour of the sky changed and we could hear a buzzing noise all around. We were driving through a swarm of locusts. Dad said he was stopping because he couldn’t see! I’m so glad the windows were closed or very quickly the interior would have been full of them. After a minute or two the swarm had gone. I’ve no idea how big the swarm was. Furthermore, I’ve never seen one since. But the buzzing and the number of the locusts around the car were high. They would have stripped a “mealie filed” in very short order. Whenever I see locusts today, I’m reminded of that time. I understand that they start life as “grass-hoppers” before turning into locusts. In ± 850BC a swarm of locusts devastated the land of Judah. Joel, the prophet saw this as a judgement from God. He went on to use this destruction to prophesy the invasion of Judah, by the Babylonians, which took place about 250 years later. God had given His people ample warning to repent and be obedient to Him. He also predicted the coming Day of the Lord. 1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Joel 2:1 KJV and 9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. Joel 2:9 KJV Back in the 1980/90 we sang a chorus, “Blow the trumpet in Zion”. It was very popular and we sang it with gusto! Why we sang it and loved it so much remains a mystery. It was certainly nothing to get excited about, or celebrate. Joel was predicting the fall of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. They were capable of destroying the land in much the same way as the locusts had done. The enemy would sweep in like a swarm of locusts. They would swarm on and over the walls of Jerusalem. Judah would be totally defeated and left deserted for some 70 years! Nevertheless we celebrated it, in chorus form, some 2800 years later! I don’t think we knew what we were singing. “Reach out and touch the Lord as He passes by” is another. He never passes by. He is ever with us. A number of our favourite choruses would probably fail this Scriptural accuracy test! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			6 O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the LORD. 7 Give the LORD no rest until He completes His work, until He makes Jerusalem the pride of the earth. Isaiah 62:6-7 NLT	1	I’ve posted watchmen on the walls who’ll pray by day and night.        Jerusalem!               1        Watch over them, Till all has turned out right You are worthy, Lamb of God, to open up the seals.        They murdered You!         2        Your Blood can do, All which Your Word reveals! For You have ransomed nations, their people and each tribe.        The very least,        Will be a priest; The way Your Word describes. The sons of Aaron, who are priests, will sound the trumpet blast.        When we’re at war, 3        The trumpet’s roar, Will summon Father fast! So do not fear oppression when men invade the land.        If you’re with Him,        They cannot win! You’ll only need to stand. I have not spoken secretly, nor whispered in the night.        I’ll be with you,         4        In all you do; I’ll help you win the fight. I’ve never said to Jacob that I’ll be out of sight.        Persevere;        I’m ever near, And always do what’s right! The priests will bless the people and I will surely hear,        The prayers they pray,        5        To Me each day. I am forever near! Although I am in heaven, within the Holy Place.        I’ll understand,        And am on hand. Their enemies to face!	My eyes are on the righteous; I hear their every prayer.        If they are true,        6        I’ll surely do, Whatever’s needed there! Confess to one another your each and every sin.        It’s rather dumb,                7        If you stay mum. How can I enter in? But if a man is righteous and comes with earnest prayer.        There is no way,        I’ll bid him Nay. He’ll know that I am there! The Lord will soon be with us. Indeed He’s on His way.        He won’t be late                8        Upon that date. He’s coming back to stay. For it cannot be hidden, in fact all men will see,        The crucified;        Who bled and died, To set all mankind free! I am poor and needy but God has me in mind.        Please don’t delay,       9        In any way. None other I can find, To help me and deliver me when I am sorely tried.        You give me aid,        When I’m afraid, And unto You I’ve cried! To live in Godly, Holiness is what the Lord requires.        Do not delay;                    10        Hasten the Day, When You’ll consume with fire, The things Which You created back in the days of yore.        Create anew,        The things which You’ Created once before!
			9 And they sang a new song with these words: "You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For You were slaughtered, and Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 And You have caused them to become a Kingdom of priests for our God. And they will reign on the earth." Revelation 5:9-10 NLT	2
			8 The sons of Aaron, the priests, will blow the trumpets. This will be a permanent law for you and your descendants. 9 "When you go to war in your own country against an enemy who is oppressing you, the trumpets will sound a fanfare. Then the LORD your God will remember you and rescue you from your enemies. Numbers 10:8-9 GW	3
			19 I have not spoken in secret. I have not spoken from a dark place. I have not said to Jacob's people, "It is useless to look for me.' I am the LORD. I always speak the truth. I always say what is right. Isaiah 45:19 NIrV	4
			27 Then the Levitical priests blessed the people. Their voices were heard, and their prayers went to God's holy place in heaven. 2 Chronicles 30:27 GW	5
			15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry. Psalms 34:15 TNIV	6
			16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 NLT	7
			20 He who gives witness to these things says, "Yes. I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 NIrV	8
			17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalms 40:17 ESV	9
			11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 2 Peter 3:11-12 ESV	10
					Jim Strickland – Written 8th May 2012